Tag: Film

Dreamland marks the directorial debut of Robert Schwartzman, the indie film which he also wrote and scored. The film centers on Monty, a struggling musician who teaches piano lessons and dreams of opening his own piano bar. Beautifully shot in Los Angeles, the film has a dream like quality at times that plays on the balance between fantasy and reality. As the film goes on, it explores Monty’s relationships with his girlfriend Lizzie, and Olivia a glamours older women with whom he starts an affair.

Johnny Simmons stars as Monty, and plays him with sincerity and vulnerability, as his character reaches a cross roads in his life. Toward the end of the film, Monty receives a piece of advice that seems to relate to where he is in his life. The line struck a chord, “It’s all about choices dude, what notes you play, how you play, when you play them…”. The cast also stars Amy Landecker as Olivia, and is rounded out by Robert’s brother Jason, and his mother Talia Shire.

Dreamland originally premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival in New York, and received many positive critical reviews. I was lucky enough to score a ticket to one of those screenings last April. The brilliant Eighties inspired soundtrack will stay with you long after the credits roll, and it certainly has stayed with me all these months.

Make sure to get lost in Dreamland, which opens in select theaters, on demand, and iTunes today November 11th 2016. The dreamy soundtrack can be downloaded now too!

Director Robert Schwartzman discusses his new film at AOL Build 11/7/2016 in NYC.

Lincoln Center has long been considered one of New York’s cultural centers with many fascinating performances. This season is no different, showcasing Academy and Tony Award Nominated actor Ethan Hawke in the title role of Macbeth. Shakespeare’s classic Scottish play comes alive with a stellar cast on the stage of the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

This week also finds the Lincoln Center Film Society screening all three films in director Richard Linklater’s Before series. The series stars Ethan Hawke as Jesse and Julie Delpy as Celine. In Before Sunrise Jesse and Celine meet by chance on a train through Europe. After getting off in Vienna, they spend the night exploring the city and find themselves falling in love.

Fast forward nine years to Before Sunset. In Paris the pair meets again, just as Jesse is finishing a book tour based on their chance meeting years earlier. Finally, Before Midnight shows Celine and Jesse another nine years later, now a couple at the end of their Greek vacation. All there films have a very interesting look at time and relationships. While still maintaining a hopeful sense of romantic love, the smart dialogue and intelligent complex characters feel very real. The gorgeous European locations provide the perfect backdrop for their story to unfold. Celine and Jesse will forever be one of my favorite film couples and the series is one of my absolute favorites.

Catch the films and the play while you can, they are not to be missed!